FARMVILLE, Va. | After an hour and a half weather delay, freshmen Adriana Durango, Brea Bailey and Ryan McLemore set a fast and intense pace, highlighted by Durango's five saves, as the Alabama A&M Bulldogs fell 4-0 to the Longwood Lancers on Thursday evening.
The first 10 minutes saw both teams attempting to settle in and release the season opener jitters. Longwood recorded four shots in the next five minutes, two of them coming from junior Megan Piazza. It was AAMU freshman Brea Bailey who logged a shot for the Bulldogs in the 21st minute. Less than 60 seconds later, Victoria Drake sent the ball across the penalty area where Emma Jones sailed it to the back of the net to open the scoring.
The Lancers recorded two more shots before Clarksburg, Maryland native Ryan McLemore added another shot to the Bulldog score sheet. Just as the half was winding down, a pair of Longwood freshman teamed up to send another ball into the net and gain a sneaky 2-0 lead entering the break.
The second half started just as slow as the first, with only one shot being recorded between the two teams. In the 63rd minute, Piazza finally saw the ball hit the back of the net to put the Lancers ahead by three goals. McLemore logged another shot but it was the home team who added another goal, when in the 77th minute Claire Schultz earned an unassisted goal to round out scoring for the night.
Regardless of the scoreless outcome, the Bulldogs set the tone for the season- one that shows a fast pace and high intensity team, with a physical backline. Despite having 12 freshmen, the 2025 Bulldog team pressed high, transitioned quick, and forced turnovers with aggressive, physical defending that belied their youth.
The Maroon and White head north to take on the Delaware State Hornets on Sunday. The Noon Matinee will serve as the season opener for the Hornets, as their Thursday night contest against Hampton University was postponed due to inclement weather. Sundays contest can be live streamed via NEC Front Row.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Three Bulldogs recorded shots, two coming from Ryan McLemore, and the other from Brea Bailey
- Adriana Durango saved five balls and allowed four goals
- Longwood's four goals came from four different Lancers, with one unassisted
- Longwood recorded 21 shots, with nine on target.
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